Bridge construction



Oct. 16, 1923. 1,471,282

s. A. ROAKE v BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 10 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 nwE/vmk STEPHEN AJEOAKE ATTORNEYS WITNESSES S. A. ROAKE BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 10. 1921 s-sheets-sheet 2 a v r 68 Z/ 'y.j 6 66 a7 61- i 0 I 67 6o I, a

r mzjyh WITNESSES mmvmn y STEPHEN A. Ema; I I 1 \Q" ATTORNEYS Patented Get. 16, 1923.

tihtiiil ldim s tar-es are rate :srnPnnn'e. seams, OF-BLUOM-FIELD, new JERSEY.

Zia-men oonsrnoczrron.

Application filed May 10,

To (5U whom itfinay cmwcm Be it known that I. STEPHEN A. Rosina, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Bloomfielchin the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Bridge which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. 7 In connection with bridge construction, and more particularly bascule bridges, it is a well appreciated tact that considerable difliculty has been experienced in that virtually a; supplemental workshop has to be provided'at' the ultimate asseiz'i'blage point, to insure a proper operation of the finished bridge. Thus the bridg'efpa'rts, and operating mechanism have heretofore ib'een'con- 'structed 'in main plant, and the parts thus built, have been sentto the point at which the bridge was to be erected. A supplemental shop has been necessary at this point to permit of the parts being fitted, one to the other, and to insure the r co-operation in such a manner as to'permit of the bridge operating in an entirely satisfactory manner.

Furthermore, a bridge of this type has in volved a relatively complicated construction, necessitating the use of many parts, anda consequential expense in both the construction and operation of the bridge.

Aside from the diiiicult ies aforementioned, further objections have been encountered in that a duplication of parts in the operating mechanism is often required in a bridge of this type This is to be. predicated to the tact that navigable streams must be bridged by structures which are capable of being" drawn or swung. to av position permitting. of the passage of boats on this stream. Usually motors are pro; ded which drive the operating mechanism serving to swing the bridge but in certain localities the streams are not utilized by boats to such an extent as to necessitate the operation of. a draw or'bascule bridge more than a few times a year. Obviously in these localities a form of manual drive would be 'much' more economical than a power driven mechanism whether the pow er be derived from asteam' or gasoline en- -gine or from: an electric motor; jo n the otherhand, provision must be made fora possible lncrease 1n the navigation on the stream, andconsequentlyit is necessary to install a type of mechanism that can be operated either manuallyor by Fur Construction, of V movement of the bridge when it closed position. This latch is retractediand' the bridge is moved by the form of operat- 1921 Serial No. 468,231.

thermore, itis sometimes necessaryto resort to manualoperation of the bridge while-repairs or renewals are being made to the power driven parts. v

Entirely independent of the foregoing ditficulties, it is well understoodthat a latch is' utilized for normally preventing any is in its ing mechanism .utilizec Sometimes the latch is PIOJQCtGCl during the movement of the bridge, and thus upon the bridge being swung to its closed position the latch extends beyond the bodyof the bridge and, as-a result, is in danger of" striking against the abutment, thereby causing a great deal of damage of the bridge parts. Furthermore, it a binding of the latch operatingmechanismoccurs while the bridge is being swung,

damage to the parts often results due to the strain which is thrown into the latch operating mechanism upon the operation of the more powerful-bridge moving mechanism. Having these and-other defects in m nd,

my present invention has as its primary ob ie ct, the provision of a movable bridge, and more particularly a bascule br dge which may be manufactured at amain plant, and

subsequently shippedtothe point at which the bridge is to be erected, the parts'being so arrangedand'constructedas to eliminate anynecessity of a supplementalassemblage plant, at the point of ultimate assemblage, although a proper co-operationof the parts with'each other, and satisfactory operation of the whole unit will be. insured. V

Afurther object of my invention is the provision of a device of the character specif tied, in which all unnecessary complications will have been eliminated, and the entire construction simplified and strengthened;

fAnother object of-this invention is the, provision of a form of-operating'mcchanism which is equally adaptable for a manual or power drive, so that the objectionon this score will have been removed;

A still further object ofjmy invention is the construction of a movable bridge in which, certain latch operating mechanism will be provided, so that primarily a projection of the latch, while the bridge is mov= ing to itsfully closed position will'be obviously precluded andconsequentlythat an. operation ofthe' latch incident to a binding or: its operating mechanism, while the bridge is oeing swung, will not result in any dam age to the parts.

Still other objects or my invention will appear in the annexed specification, taken in connection with the appended sheets of drawings, which latter present one practical embodiment of the same, and in which:

Figure 1 is a partly sectional plan view of the inner e c. of a bridge constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure l is a similar view of the outer end thereof. 7

Figure 2 an enlarged side view of one of the latches. 7

Figure 3 is. section takenalong the lines 3-3 of Figure Figure l is a sectional view taken along the line e -el and in the direction of the arrows indicted in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a side view or the device illustrated in Figure l. Figure 6 is a sectional. view taken along the lines 6 6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line '77, Figure 8; V

Figure 8 is section taken along the line 88, Figure 1.

Considering Figures 1 and 6, it will be seen that the reference numeral denotes the piers positioned adjacent to the approach of the bridge, and that 26 in icates the con trol station preterably arranged in proximity to the piers 25.

in the embodiment illustrated, it will be seen that l have illustrated a double span bridge, and main supporting girders 27, are arranged upon each of the piers 25. Each the main girders 27 provides a bearing 28, and supporting shafts 29 extend between the bearings 28, these shaf s in turn supporting' the spans hereina'tter more liully described.

Also cross girders 30 are arranged b0 tween the supporting girders 27, and serve not only as a support for the approach girders e2, but also as a bracing medium for the supportigirders 27, and together with bracing leinents 3l provide a rigid construction. Also inv the embodiment illus trated, the spans'are such as are utilizec in railroad work in that they support cross ties 32, and rails 33, but it is obviously to be understood that the bridge may be utilized for any desirable t ne of traffic.

With a view of simplifying the construction each or thesespans comprises a pair of main girders 34 extending throughout the entire length of the span and beyond the point of pivotal support formed by the shafts 29.

To now provide means serving a counterbalance, the ballast utilized. and the girders 3% mount, at points to the rear of their connection with the shaft 29, a series of beams 36 which support that. portion of the ballast contained in the ballastboz; 37.

Obviously suitable bracing 37 is provided betwe' n girders 8e, and serves to inter-brace the structure, so that the entiredouble span constitutes a rigid element. Also to provide a bumper which will prevent the span being swung beyond the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 5, and also serve as a cushioning element vfor the span. Suitable stop beams are arranged between the piers 25 and adjacent the base portions thereof.

The outer end of the span, as has been shown in Figures 1 and 5, co-operates with a suitable type of pier 39. A shoulder oi. this pier supports a rest plate 40 and a steel casting 10 which is so beveled that when the outer end of the girder 3e bears against this element the span is guided into its closed position in such manner that the rails 38 or the span and the rails 41 of the approach align perfectly with each other. 7 l l ith respect to the inner approach shown in Figures 1 and 5, it will be seen that the same comprises suitable approach girders 4L2, upon which the rails and their associated ties rest, it being noted that these girders are supported by a fixed support 42 at the outer end and by the cross girders 30 at the inner end, and it being also noted that these girders extend above and beyond the shafts 29 so that gaps are provided at points in advance of the points of: pivotal suspen sion of the spans, said. gaps being bridged by the gap bars 43. Thus, upon the spans being swung to the position indicated in dotted lines the girders 42 and rails il supported thereon will constitute a fixed abutment which will be straddled by the girders 3 at points adjacent to and beyond the shafts 29. Also by virtue ot the interbracing &3, which is provided between the girders 42 ot the approach, it will be seen that the construction is materially strengthened, so that any weakness at this point is overcome. r i

To now provide means which will serve to swing tiie spans when desired, and to also provide elements of this nature which may be assembled. at the point of the bridge erection without any further alteration, l utilize racks 4-4, one of wlich is associated with each o1 the two inner girders 34.. These racks are arranged directly below the shafts 29, and have their ends equi-distant from the same, so that they form an arc of a circle having as its center, the center of the shafts. Pinions 45 are fixedly secured to the shafts which latter are rotatably mounted between the two center supporting girders 27, and rnon he shaft 46 being rotated it will be obvious that the pinion 4.5 will co-operate the raclr l -4i and result in a movement of the entire span.

The shaft l6 ha1s mounted thereon, as shown in" Figure Lagear47 Theshaft 46 may be drivenfrom any'source of power through a train-ofgears l8 meshing with the gear 47. The source of power that would generally be used would bean electric motor Which could be positioned between-the spans inthe vicinity of the train'of gears 48. instead of a motor a manually operated member might be provided for raising and lowering the span.

l Vith reference to the latch and operating mechanism therefor, \vhichwill embody the virtues set'forth in the preamble of this specification, it will-be noted, reference being had to Figures 1 and Qthat a pair of dogs Gal preferably utilized, -oneassociated with each of, the outer girders 34, and 00- operating withsuitable sockets 65, forming apart of the pier'39. A link'66 serves to re tract each of the dogs 64:, and a crank 67 keyed to the shaft GS'permitsoff aip'ositive movement"being'eft'ected'on the partof the link 66. Theshaft 68 extends transversely.

to the girders 34l, and a-lev'er 69"isfiXed to this shaft, and a" rocking of tlns lever in either a cloclr-wiseor ELIlbI-ClOCk-WlSQ direction may be arranged by means of operating rods 70. The rear ends of the rods 70 are connected to a lever 71 similar to' the lever Gthand this lever is in turn secured to a shaft 72 which is connected by means-ofa 7 link 74 to a shaft73 mounted Withinthe bore of one of the shafts 29; V Referring to Figures 7 V and 8 it Willbe see that the'shaft 73 is revolubly mounted in the bore of'sha'ft' 29, the ends of the shaft 73 extending beyondthe ends of the shaft 29. An ear 75 has one of its ends secured to the outer end'oftheshaft 73. "A link'76has its outer', end pivotally secured to the outer end'of the ear 75, its opposite end mounting a pin 77 which extends into the arcuate slot 78"fo'rming a part of the segments'79," secured'to the shaft 80 which latter is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings y A worm Wheel 81 is alsosecured to the shaft 80. and axworm 82's'erves to effect a I'o-.

tation of the WOIIH Wheel 81, the Worm 82 being in turn driven through suitable gears and shafting'83 operated by a hand Wheel Set, the latter beingbest' illustrated in Fig ure7. I

Assumin ow that thebridge is closed,

the'latch projected, and that the span is tobe opened, it will be'seen that this may be accomplished by primarily rotating the hand wheel 84, which WillclIlVQ the Worm 82, and thus rotate the rod 80. No movement Will result on the part of the link 76 by virtue of the arcuate slot 78 utilized. However, upon the rotation of the shaft 80, being continued, the pin 77 of the ]ink 7 6 will be borne against by the end Wall of the slot 78,- and move the link; upwardly to the position indicated in dotted linesin Figufel3. This will obviously more the shaft 73, Which movement.

will lie transmitted to the shaft 72 and con} sequently effect a retractionof the latch-.

The span lHZtYIlOW be lifted'by means of the operating mechanism before described,- r

Sincethe shaft 7 3 passes through the bearings in the ends of. the shaft 29 there is a possibility of the' shaft 73' being rotated with the shaft -29. jlf such occurs the pin 77 carried-by the link-7 6 will ride in the slot 78 in'g downwardly a projection of the latch.

ivill be absolutely precludediby virtue of the fact that the segments 79 will remainst ationary, until theouter ends of-the girders liad slid above the shoulder forming a part of the pier '89. Then a movement of the shaft 80 by'means of the hand Wheel84svvill permit the segments 79 to move to the posi- Vtion shown in fulllines in Figure'7 and, consecuentl de ress the link 7G When the pin i a i L 77 carried thereby contacts with'the rear end of the slot'78, so that the shaft 73 will be rotated ,to effect a projection'of the latch.

Thus it will be seen that l have provided a bridge construction embodying all of the objectives set forth" in the preamble of this specification, in that primarily by virtueof the simple construction of thespans and supporting girders, together Withthe simple but adequate and efiicient arrangement of the machinery parts,'a complete machinery unit V is formed which may be assembled at the main plant, thus eliminating the necessity of supplemental construction and alteration attlieip'oint' of ultimate assemblage, but insuring a proper cooperation of'the parts with each other and satisfactory operation of the unit as a Whole.- r r Also, by virtue fthe'simple arrangement of'the machinery, replacement of any'of its c parts be readily madeand with a minimumamount of-alt'eratiom'so that perfect fitting and co operation of the parts with. :7

one another is assured.

Furthermore; the expense of'the driving mechanism utilized, which is equally adapt able for either-manual or power drive, is reduced'to a minimum. This form of oper- ZiZlIlQfDIGCllEtl'llSIIl although t is extremely compact and may be arranged in a space in capable of accommodating other forms of drives, provides the most efficient form of drive foruse in association with the spans.

Also with respect to the latch operating elements it will be noted that all. danger of the latch being projected upon the span downwardly is prevented, aside from the fact that even should the parts jamb, no damage will result to the same.

in this latter connection 'itwiil be seen that the safe guard is provided by-virtue of the arrangement ofthe parts and the arcuslo orni d in the segment, as well as by the worm drive, which will prevent any tendency f the shaft to rotate, being transmitted to the operating wheel Furthermore, by virtue of the fact that 'the latches are actuated b a shaft which center of rotation of the mechanism and the conunsatisfactory operation my invention, which A claim as:

1. in bridge construction including supporting girders, hollow shafts mounted in bearings carried by said supporting girders, span girders mounted on said hollow shafts, and a latch for locking the span girders in position, a latch operating mechanism comprising a secondary shaft mounted in either of said hollow shafts, a plurality of levers and links for operating the latch through the secondary shaft, and members for operating the secondary shaft which are so constructed that they are not affected by the rotation of the secondary shaftby the girder carrying shaft. 7 v

2. A bridge construction, including sup porting girders, span girders, shafts extending through said span girders for rockingly supporting said span girders with respect to said supporting girders, said shaft being formed with a bore, asecondary shaft rotatably mounted within said bore and having its ends extending beyond said first named shaft, and means for moving said secondary shaft at one of its ends: 7

" 3. A bridge construction, including supporting girders, span girders, shafts extending through said span girders for revolubly supporting said span girders with respect to said supporting girders, one of said shafts being formed with a bore, a secondary shaft rotatably mounted within said bore and having its ends extending beyond said first said sup named shaft, an. ear secured to one end of said secondary shaft, a link having one of its ends rockingly secured to the outer end of sad ear, a segment formed with an arouate slot, and a pin secured to the opposite .d of link and projecting through said sl t. 1

4:. A bridge construction, including supporting girders, span girders, shafts extend ing through said span girders for revolui ly supporting said span girders with respectto p girders, one or more of said shafts being formed with a bore, second ary shaft rotatably mounted within said bore, and having its ends extending beyond said first named shaft, an ear secured to one end of said secondary shaft, link having one of its ends rockingly secured to the outer end of said ear, a segment formed with an arcuate slot, a pin secured to the opposite end of said link and projecting through said slot, and means for rocking saidsegment.

5 A bridge construction, including supporting girders, span girders, shafts extending through said span girders for rer-olublysupporting said span girders with respect to said supporting girders, one or more of said shafts being. formed'with a bore, a secondary shaft rotatably mounted. within said bore, and having its ends extending beyond said first named shaft, an ear secured to one end of said secondary shaft, a link having one of its ends rockingly secured to the outer end of saidear, a segment formed with an arcuate slot, a pin secured to the opposite end of said link, and projecting through said slot and means for normally preventing a rotation of said segment.

6. A bridge construction, including sup 'iortin girders, span girders, shafts extend ing through said span girders for revolubly supporting said span girders with respect to saidsuppo "ting girders, one or more of said'shafts heir formed with a bore, a secondary shaft rotatably mounted within said bore, and having its ends extending beyond said first named shaft, an ear secured to one end of said secondary shaft, a link having one of its ends rockingly secured to the outer end of said ear, a segment formed with an arcuate slot, a pin secured to the opposite end of said link and projecting through said slot, a shaft having said segments secured to one of its ends, a worm gear also secured to said last named shaft, worm engaging said worm gear and means worm.

for rotating said STEPHEN A. ROAKE.

Bil 

